Tam Brahm Style Kootu | Poricha Kootu | How to make Poricha Kootu | Sorakkai Kootu | Sorakkai Poricha Kootu | Bottle Gourd Stew | South Indian Style Stew| Vegan and Gluten free Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

Bottle Gourd/Sorakkai/Ghiya is also known as the South Indian Squash. It has so many health benefits and also helps in weight loss. The excessive water content in the vegetable makes it  a most preferred and widely used summer vegetable . Many of us do not like the taste of bottlegourd and my family is no different. But, I intentionally include bottlegourd in our weekly menu for all it's goodness. I take extreme care while making bottle gourd to make it more delicious.  This Kootu is refreshingly tasty with the right balance of spices and flavours.

With simple everyday ingredients, the kootu is easy to cook and is so nutritious. A gluten free and vegan recipe. A side dish for rice and flatbreads/phulka/roti/chapathi.

Tam Brahm Style Kootu | Poricha Kootu | Sorakkai Kootu :

Preparation time : 30 minutes

Cooking time : 15 minutes

Serves : 4

1 cup = 250 ml

Note: Soak the bottle gourd in water while preparing for the kootu so that it remains fresh. Also soaking moong dal ( 15 minutes) while the peanuts are soaking, helps in faster and better cooking. You can soak them together too.

Ingredients:

1 bottlegourd ( peeled and cubed)

2 tomatoes ( chopped)

1/4 cup split green gram / moong dal

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 tablespoon peanuts ( soak in warm water for 15 mins)

1 sprig curry leaves

1 teaspoon oil

salt to taste

For the ground paste :

1/4 cup chopped coconut pieces

1-2 green chillies 

2 dry red chillies

1 teaspoon cumin seeds/jeera

1 tablespoon roasted gram /pottukadalai

4-5 strands of fresh coriander leaves/cilantro ( if you want the kootu to be  yellow in colour, omit grinding and add while garnishing)

For tempering :

2 teaspoons oil ( sesame or coconut oil tastes best)

1/4 teaspoon fenugreek powder/vendaya powder/methi powder

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 

1/2 teaspoon split black gram/urad dal ( optional)

1 sprig curry leaves

Method:

1. Soak the moong  dal and peanuts in warm water for at least 15 minutes.

2. Grind the ingredients given under 'for the ground paste' to a smooth paste adding 3 tablespoons of water. 

Note: Adjust water quantity. The paste needs to be thick and smoothly ground.

3. In a pressure cooker, heat oil over low flame and add the tomatoes and curry leaves. 

4. Add turmeric powder, salt and keep stirring the tomatoes, till they turn soft and mushy.

5. Now add the cubed bottle gourd and stir to mix.

6. Add the moong dal and peanuts .

Note : You can drain the water and add them.

7. Add 1 cup of water and stir to mix.

8. Add the ground paste, adjust salt and pressure cook the kootu over medium flame upto 4 whistles and switch off.

9. Once the pressure has come down, using a whisk( metal  or wooden ) gently whisk the kootu without mashing the bottle gourd , so that the kootu is smooth in consistency.

10. Heat a ladle with coconut oil/sesame oil and temper with ingredients given .

Your delicious and nutritious 'Sorakkai Poricha Kootu' is ready !!!

Are you looking for more such yummy and healthy Authentic  South Indian Style Gravies? 

Try:

Tirunelveli Style Mor Kuzhambu

Nellikai Rasam

Brinjal Gotsu/Gostu

Happy Cooking !

With love,

Masterchefmom